Three Reasons Rooney is worth his new Man United contract

Undoubtedly the story of the week has been Wayne Rooney’s new £300,000-per-week contract. The England international finally put an end to the sage that has been his Old Trafford future on Friday by penning a new deal to make him the highest paid player in the Premier League. Naturally, Rooney found the net in his first appearance since putting pen to paper, rasping home a sweet effort in the 2-0 win at Crystal Palace – which may be a vital three points when the season ends. It’s hard to justify such a salary for essentially kicking a ball around in a field, but such is the forward’s importance to United that he may just be worth the massive outlay. Here are three reasons to validate Rooney’s contract.

Goals, goals and more goals

Rooney took his tally to nine in the Premier League against Palace, making him the club’s top scorer in the competition. Although his record is not on a par with Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero or even Yaya Toure, he has a habit of netting big goals at big moments, and with United’s tendency to throw away points late on, his strike at Selhurst Park was a huge one.

With Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic set to leave at the end of the season, both the vice and full captain could be no more at Old Trafford, leaving a massive void in Moyes’ team. Rooney is undoubtedly a big character on and off of the field, and is widely being backed to take the armband and be ‘Mr Man United’.

Silky skills and top goals may be attractive, but any manager would tell you that work rate is just as important. Rooney is by no means a man that shirks his responsibilities, as he proved against Palace with an all-action display. Both before and after the goal, ‘Wazza’ was up and down the pitch supporting his midfield and fellow attackers.